Rae Lori's Blog, page 35

Author Kaye Manro's Geek Girls Tell All

I love being a geek girl!



Growing up, I had alternating moments of being a girlie girl and tomboy which soon meshed into a hybrid of the two. Through it all, one thing stayed the same. My love for sci-fi and fantasy (and some elements of horror) grew as I discovered the art of storytelling.



Thanks to author Kaye Manro, I had a chance to join with my fellow geek gals and put our brains together to define what it really means to be a geek girl. Hop on over to check out the post and our responses!



http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/2011/12/geek-girls-tell-all.html

Sam Johnson of Geek Girl comics even linked to it! Checking out his website, I think I may have some new comic titles to add to my reading list. :-)



In honor of this momentous occasion, I would love to give a shout out to one of my fave sexy nerds of all time. Mr. Nigel Bailey of the awesome adventure show from way back when, Relic Hunter.

Everything Comes Full Circle - Revisiting the Cimmerian City

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Everything from fear, excitement, withdrawal, elation and acceptance kept me pumped to the end when I would finally make my book live. It's a gamut of emotions many indie authors go through when they are about to send a book out into the world. After having the story in your head for so long, sharing it with an editor (and not just an editor, but a partner to help make it the best book you can), creating the cover and text layout--the time arrives for release.



Only with Cimmerian City, I'm relieving this experience all over again.



Continue Reading >>>>>>>




Cimmerian City was my very first book release back in 2007 shortly after I entered the rising digital publishing world. Up until then, I had only dreamed of writing professionally. I had sold short stories and written articles for publications...but novel writing? Nonsense! I told myself I would never write books because they were just too bloomin' long. I loved the shorter works and I had nothing more to say.



My how things have changed.



I always tell the story of how Cimmerian City came to me in English class in '99. I was studying Brave New World, The Matrix had premiered on the silver screen along with Dark City and the Thirteenth Floor. Imaginative possibilities were everywhere and the world was going through more shifts with emerging technology, scary social changes and a shape-shifting government.



Then a character named Raven Blackheart claimed my own imagination. Cimmerian City went through many transitions where I played with virtual realities, futuristic scenarios, A.I. technology on distant worlds and meditations on money ruling government...until the story hit me. Most sci-fi stories showcased the world around the characters as a character itself but it was Raven who stood out most in my mind. This was her journey in a world that affected her and her family on a personal level. It was the story about the consequences of a failed government on its citizen. Overall, it was and still remained a story about discovery and death, the dark, cruelty of how humans can be toward one another and mankind's ability to find the good in the darkness around itself.



(Slightly spoilery character backgrounds to follow)



Raven's family ties shape a big part of her present and future. A mixture of Egyptian and Native American heritage, she is a woman who lived on a reservation after losing the only family she knew to a corrupt world who saw its inhabitants as commercial experiments. The mysterious Enos Relim, a strong minded, whip smart man from the Blackfoot tribe, trains and mentors Raven. He also helps her find out the truth about what happened to her father who disappeared mysteriously years ago. The brilliant Russell Li, a young handsome Chinese American man, works as an engineer at a prestigious corporation. Soon he is invited to move up in his career...but at a price that ultimately ends in losing a part of himself. At the beginning of the novel, all three lose someone close to them which will tie them together for the rest of their lives.



(End slightly spoilery character backgrounds)



The thing I always loved about science fiction was the ability to explore humanity in all its nooks and crannies through fantastical worlds and situations. Technology, commerce, government and society all combined in a commentary I was most excited to write about.



Even though Cimmerian City explores loss, death, darkness and greed that destroys men's hearts, A Feast of Shadows--the sequel--turns the story arc on its head. Hope, renewal, recovery, romance and fate play a strong hand in the following story, as Raven races against the clock to stop the oncoming destruction of Earth. Relationships that are hinted at in the first book come to fruition in the second story. The action/adventure and thrills are amplified and we see a bit more of the future world hinted at in Cimmerian City. A romance stems from heartache from part one, while part two develops it into full fledged mode.







But I may be getting a bit ahead of myself in that aspect.



I'm very excited to bring this book back into the world after all the edits, changes and updates it went through. It was released at a time when I created this blog to document this writer's dream from unpublished, aspiring author to published author. Since then I've paved many roads, discovered many awesome books and met so many wonderful readers and fellow author friends. It's been an amazing journey and coming up at the end of this year, it seems apt to take a look from where I came to where I am now.



I hope you all enjoy the novel. I'm currently at work prepping a fantasy short story collection for release and finishing up edits on A Feast of Shadows (and new works are coming up the pipeline). Plus, there are more goodies on the way. During the first release, I dove whole hog into the promotion and created tons of artistic compositions of the characters (namely Raven) and the world of future Los Angeles. I also put together a short digital comic book with a scene inspired Cimmerian City which soon became an actual scene in A Feast of Shadows. That presentation is called Shadow Man and can be seen here courtesy of Google vid.



It's been an amazing journey from there to here and I'm excited to say I can't wait to make more of my goals and dreams come true. I'm thankful for all of you guys who have stopped by my blog, all my buddies on the networks and a wonderful thanks to the readers who check out my work. There's nothing more amazing than a dream achieved through the art of storytelling.

Coffin Hop Winners and a big ole thanks!

Whew! I'm so jazzed to finally sit down and blog the winners (yup winners!) of my the Coffin Hop authors blog tour.



I tell ya guys, this has been an awesome blast. I had so much fun jumping around to different author blogs and chatting them up on Twitter and Facebook. There are so many creative minds out there that I just couldn't keep up at one point! Thanks to everyone who offered goodies and various creative snippets of their work. I had a blast checking them out. Thanks to Axel and Julie for putting together and of course to all the wonderful authors and readers who dropped by my blog to check out my post and to say a hello! You guys are awesome. :-D



Now for the winners!



The main prize which I posted about before was the first two books in the Ashen Twilight series A Kiss of Ashen Twilight & Within the Shadows of Mortals as well as The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels: Vol 1.



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Plus some extra yum yums were to be announced! Well, the extra yum yums are a nice happy bag of mixed mini candy bars. Woo! Snackage!





And the random generator says....10!Congrats to: shadow_kohler

For winning this package!

I'm tossing in a late night extra bonus prize which is the first two books in my series as ebooks.



The number generator says....dun dun dun,



Number 8!



Congrats to ash-krafton and thanks to all for entering!



I'll be contacting you both via email to either send your prizes or grab your info to ship the goodies on over to ya.



Thanks to all who participated in the hop! 

A Tale of Two TV Fables - Grimm & Once Upon A Time

Fairytales and mythology seem to be taking over the entertainment media by droves. I noticed the trend rising in Young Adult Fiction where fairytale & mythological retellings have been selling like hotcakes. Movies soon caught on as producers yanked up these books to adapt into large screen presentations. Red Riding Hood premiered a few months ago and we have two Snow White movies, a Jack and the Beanstalk and a Sleeping Beauty to look forward to. Sometimes they worked (Percy Jackson) and sometimes they didn't (Beastly). It was only a matter of time before television caught on with their own versions of fairytales in modern times.



I, for one, was jazzed to see this return. I was a huge fan of Special Unit 2, Blood Ties, The Dresden Files, The Chronicle and Friday the 13th the series which took modern day characters and settings and placed them against supernatural baddies. Supernatural & Warehouse 13 also play with these themes as well but I haven't had a chance to check them out as of yet. Some came from storybooks with their own set history while others were originals, inspired by their mythological ancestors.



Click to read the rest of the post!




Two new supernatural dramas have appeared on our screens. One which made it's debut to huge premiere night numbers and the other which hasn't had much publicity.





I first sat down to watch Grimm. I tried not to watch any previews on this one but I did manage to read snippets about when it was coming and what it would be about. Otherwise, I went in blind to immerse myself in the whole experience. A girl can't get too many surprises and lately they've been lacking a bit in the entertainment department.



Anywho, Grimm was a nice supernatural police procedural centering around a young man who sees creatures masquerading as humans. He is a Grimm, a line of men and women who fought fairytale baddies. Kinda like the slayers of Buffydom. The pilot centers around victims who wear red; like the college student out for a jog who finds a trinket on a tree stump and the little girl skipping on her way to Grandma's house. You can probably guess who the big baddie was in this ep. ;-)



The story was pretty much straightforward and almost predictable until our hero Nick encounters a smart alecky wolf named Eddie who clues him in on his past and his job as a grimm. I loved Eddie's snark and how he is just another guy who happens to be a pretty intellectual wolf. He's so nice he even invites Nick in for a brew, but reminds him that he's paying for the window he broke. I also loved that Eddie was a church going, pill taking, pilates practicing wolf who was afraid of the grimm fairytales he heard as a kid (nice touch). The scenes with him stood out amidst the tried and true kidnapping angle that ran alongside the 'hero is called to duty' trope.



This show made me miss Special Unit 2 and the other shows which not only touched upon the background mythos of it's supernatural creatures, but also improved upon it. Writers of those shows weren't afraid to mix them into the modern setting and mess around with the. I must say, I've been spoiled by the complex drama of Being Human (Season 4 returns next year woo hoo!). Not only were the actors stellar, the storylines around the supes weren't corny and they tended to deal with real issues that were believable. One episode I'm reminded of is George 'coming out' to his parents as a werewolf after disappearing for so long. Also George and Nina dealing with how they will raise a baby and whether it will come out a human or as something else. Another good one was Annie exposing a trickster magician who claims to speak to the dead and seeing her mother who never got to say goodbye before her passing. One ongoing story was Mitchell the vampire's addiction to drinking blood which he tried to kick over and over again, but soon became his undoing. I'm still shocked over the last episode of season 3 because even though it felt like it would end in such a way, I refused to believe it. It was that good of a show and the characters really seemed like a family. These nuances from the BBC show that pack such an emotional impact are something I would love to see brought to the US supernatural shows but it takes a good actor to say so much with their performance and a script to challenge him to make it work for the audience. Sidenote: it was awesome to see Russell Hornsby working again as I sure miss him from Lincoln Heights (good show).



Next, I checked out Once Upon a Time which was a nice dip into fantasy, which I missed. Apparently, Snow White and Prince Charming did not have a happy ending as we dash from the past into the future simultaneously. The costumes and the sets of the past were gorgeous to look at and I loved playing a guessing game of who was who in fairytale land. The characters are paralleled into the future and I'm wondering if there is a connection between the characters (i.e. are they aware of their storybook counterparts). While I found this one more original than Grimm in its delivery, I still wasn't as WOWed as I was hoping but I was intrigued to find out more. Lately I've been diving into shows of old and British shows which have more diversity in its casting. So it's a bit of a shock to hop back into US television which doesn't look kindly on a diverse cast.



Overall, I may tune in if I remember to watch them. I'm still watching Terra Nova hoping for a better story arc and reveal. As the weeks go on with each episode, my jazzed up potential for the show is slowly dwindling. I'll still tune in because it's sci-fi (I need my fix!) and to see if they slip in anything awesome but I won't be holding my breath for the time being.



Ah well, back to the DVD vault for some oldies but goodies!





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*Sticky - The Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour ~ Welcome! Giveaways Galore!

Welcome to my corner of the Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour!



Grab some cocoa and pull up a chair because I'm offering some fun free reads, a book giveaway and some fun discussion. :-D



Click to read more and enter the giveaway after the jump!




Although I don't celebrate Halloween, I do enjoy a great paranormal novel. Since I was a teen, I've been into vampires (I was a Rice girl ;-)) and since then I've been hooked on vampires, werewolves, fae and other creatures. I ate up shows like Scariest Places on Earth (Zelda Rubenstein's voice alone gave me chills) and loved the paranormal invasion of the 80s & 90s when shows like Forever Knight, Friday the 13th the series, Wolf Lake, Dresden Files, Kindred: The Embraced, Blood Ties, Moonlight et al hit the air waves. I also enjoyed the Universal monster movies of the 30s namely Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf & the Mummy made their appearances. Thanks to TCM, and stations like The Travel Channel, I check in each October to see what creepy offerings will be shown for the month. (Classic movie fans should check out the classic horror movies shown every Monday on TCM!) There was something about watching an otherworldly creature surviving, loving (and sometimes just plain ole terrorizing) in a human world that made the commentary on humanity all the more interesting.



Today we have much stronger stories with more 'realistic' monsters but I will always have a certain fondness for the black and white classics.







I always cite psychological horror as my favorite type of the genre. Sometimes called 'dark suspense' these stories focus on the internal fear of the character. It's more personal and relies on challenging the viewer/reader/listener to tap into their imaginations and personal fears based on what they are experiencing. Tapping into my love for audio books, I dug up some old time radio shows I heard as a kid. Thanks to Second Life, many of these shows got a second life with a new generation of listeners sitting around a campfire on a cold, windy night. There's just something about the theatre of the mind that really resonates with us.





Take a listen to the OTR show 'The Creaking Door'


I love the vivid human imagination. The sound of a door opening, footsteps or the howl of a wind can really take a story to new heights based on what the sounds could or could not be. Not to mention the origins of said sound! The stories, movies, tv shows and video games (like Silent Hill) that exelled in really creeping me out were the ones that gave me a little bit and let me run away with 'the unknown'. Sometimes that is much more effective than being showing every bit of gory detail!





Nevertheless, the horror genre, no matter the subgenre, has made a resurgence in books thanks to digital publishing. New readers are waiting to be scared out of their wits and a new voice of authors are eager to share their stories.



What about you all? What are your favorite tv shows, movies and books in the horror genre? Do you have a favorite subgenre?



*Everyone who posts a comment, follows me here at AWD and at Facebook or Twitter (or both!) will be entered to win my goodie bag featuring a series of my books a guide to paranormal writing along with some edible treats! To see the list of prizes check out my intro blog post and also check out the main coffin hop horror blog. Don't forget to visit the other author sites to enter some great prizes and some great titles to add to your bookshelf! Have fun!





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"Waiting On" Wednesday: Darkspell

Darkspell

by Elizabeth Mueller

Publication Date: October 31st





Blurb: Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . .until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.





As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter's protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.





Will love prove thicker than magic?



I've been waiting for this ever since I 'met' Elizabeth on Facebook. It sounds like a nice YA romance and I can't wait to grab my copy.



Check out Elizabeth's links below including a release party for Darkspell just in time for next week's premiere!



Darkspell Launch Spookfesta

Elizabeth Mueller's Facebook

Darkspell Teaser

The Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour ~ Welcome! Giveaways Galore!

Welcome to my corner of the Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour!



Grab some cocoa and pull up a chair because I'm offering some fun free reads, a book giveaway and some fun discussion. :-D



Although I don't celebrate Halloween, I do enjoy a great paranormal novel. Since I was a teen, I've been into vampires (I was a Rice girl ;-)) and since then I've been hooked on vampires, werewolves, fae and other creatures. I ate up shows like Scariest Places on Earth (Zelda Rubenstein's voice alone gave me chills) and loved the paranormal invasion of the 80s & 90s when shows like Forever Knight, Friday the 13th the series, Wolf Lake, Dresden Files, Kindred: The Embraced, Blood Ties, Moonlight et al hit the air waves. I also enjoyed the Universal monster movies of the 30s namely Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf & the Mummy made their appearances. Thanks to TCM, and stations like The Travel Channel, I check in each October to see what creepy offerings will be shown for the month. (Classic movie fans should check out the classic horror movies shown every Monday on TCM!) There was something about watching an otherworldly creature surviving, loving (and sometimes just plain ole terrorizing) in a human world that made the commentary on humanity all the more interesting.



Today we have much stronger stories with more 'realistic' monsters but I will always have a certain fondness for the black and white classics.



I always cite psychological horror as my favorite type of the genre. Sometimes called 'dark suspense' these stories focus on the internal fear of the character. It's more personal and relies on challenging the viewer/reader/listener to tap into their imaginations and personal fears based on what they are experiencing. Tapping into my love for audio books, I dug up some old time radio shows I heard as a kid. Thanks to Second Life, many of these shows got a second life with a new generation of listeners sitting around a campfire on a cold, windy night. There's just something about the theatre of the mind that really resonates with us.





Take a listen to the OTR show 'The Creaking Door'


I love the vivid human imagination. The sound of a door opening, footsteps or the howl of a wind can really take a story to new heights based on what the sounds could or could not be. Not to mention the origins of said sound! The stories, movies, tv shows and video games (like Silent Hill) that exelled in really creeping me out were the ones that gave me a little bit and let me run away with 'the unknown'. Sometimes that is much more effective than being showing every bit of gory detail!





Nevertheless, the horror genre, no matter the subgenre, has made a resurgence in books thanks to digital publishing. New readers are waiting to be scared out of their wits and a new voice of authors are eager to share their stories.



What about you all? What are your favorite tv shows, movies and books in the horror genre? Do you have a favorite subgenre?



*Everyone who posts a comment, follows me here at AWD and at Facebook or Twitter (or both!) will be entered to win my goodie bag featuring a series of my books a guide to paranormal writing along with some edible treats! To see the list of prizes check out my intro blog post and also check out the main coffin hop horror blog. Don't forget to visit the other author sites to enter some great prizes and some great titles to add to your bookshelf! Have fun!





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Free story: The Hot Dry Spell (A short urban fantasy noir)

2 Days and counting!




It's the month for paranormal goodness and I'm in the giving mood!



Here is my latest release, The Hot Dry Spell, in it's entirety. This short story is available for sale in all formats if you want to buy it for your e-reader. Depending on my schedule and inspiration, I may write another story in this universe, this time featuring an IR couple. ;-)



Enjoy!



The Hot Dry Spell





Blurb: It is the Roaring 20's and jazz is on the upswing. Flappers and the Charleston are all the rage. The nightclubs are hot and the drinks are cold. Underneath the prosperous society and booming nightlife is a world unknown to most humans. A burgeoning underworld of fantasy creatures from the Fae to Vampires, trolls and Shapeshifters are working to survive underneath human eyes.





Ariane is a young Fae woman with the nickname, Sweet Rose of Chicago. The talented beauty and her alluring voice mesmerize both mortals and immortals across the city and underworld. The one man who is resistant to her charms is the only man she longs to be with; Gerry Anderson. Gerry is a runner for the Fae King, supplying bootlegged liquor for the humans and blood for the creatures of the night within the Fae King's favor. When a shaky truce between the outcast vampires and the King's shifter creatures splinters, Gerry's life may be in danger and Ariane may lose the only man she sings and lives for.









Author's Note

The idea for this story came out of a call for short stories based in the 1920s. The kicker was placing fantasy creatures in the midst of it all. I have always been a fan of the style and music of the 1930s and '40s so this was a chance for me to really research and dive into the 1920s. For weeks I listened to the music to get myself in the mood, watched the movies based there, read books about and taking place during the time and I immersed myself in the documentaries with old film footage.

Soon, The Hot Dry Spell was born. A few readers have told me they would like to see more of the story and, considering how well the characters live in my mind, I may pen another longer story within this world.

For now, I hope you enjoy this story and the characters that live within and around the nightclub, The Hot Dry Spell.

Thank you for reading!





They called her the Sweet Rose of Chicago.From the soles of her clickety black heels to the tops of her short curled brown hair. Ariane was a sight to the visitors of the Hot Dry Spell nightclub and she knew it. What made her even more enticing was the fact that she didn't have a last name. The namesake of the club was a standing homage to the city's crackdown on hard liquor, but the inside was anything but dry. The jazz was hot. The joint was bumpin'. The floors vibrated with an energy that was higher than anything its mortal visitors ever felt. Mixed with the house drink, the Blue Fairy, it was what made it the hottest dive on the block. To a Fae, it was like a drug she could not get enough of each night. Hot nights and cold drinks defined Ariane's new existence. After an existence among the green grasslands for so long, industry had moved in, pushing the natural environment out. She was finished watching the quiet farmlands the mortals tended to and welcomed the city atmosphere, coupled with fast life that came with it. Skirts were shorter, speech was hipper, and the energy shot to sky high. It was the time of the roaring twenties and she welcomed it. Anything goes and it often did. Mortals were so preoccupied with their own satisfaction that they didn't notice the underworld of immortals moving in. The Hot Dry Spell was essentially a supernatural hideaway with only a few humans allowed to integrate with the Fae. Some even ended up in the speakeasy whisper room to be donors for the bottles of bootlegged blood and Fae drinks that would mix in with the normal booze. That evening, Ariane heard the truck pull up outside the club. Her backup dancers were already prepping for the night's big show when she climbed off the stage. In some distant corner of her mind, she registered telling them to finish up. Deep down, her heart thumped rapidly, as she waited for the front doors to open.She couldn't wait any longer. 


The cool Chicago evening caressed her face when she stepped out. In moments, the doors would be opening to welcome the night crowd. The man of the hour always showed up before the show to help fill the club for its thirsty patrons. She watched him motion the delivery truck forward toward the empty spot behind his Ford and then he stepped into the driver's view to give him directions.Be still her triple beating heart. Gerry Anderson, the name he used for his human contacts, looked a sight in his double-breasted gray pinstripe suit. He straightened the fedora on his full head of dark slicked-back hair and stuffed one hand in his pocket while the other waved the men over. One by one, they began piling out from the back of the truck carrying crates and barrels."That's it," Gary yelled. His familiar East Side Chicago tinted accent sent shivers up Ariane's spine whenever she heard it. There was something masculine and enticing about the way he said his words with force whenever he worked with the men. Yet on the flip side, he would be soft and tender with her in that very same voice. "Load 'em up in the whisper room and don't spill a drop. That'll keep us going for a while. At least until we're dry tonight."Ariane stepped aside to let the men by as they piled into the club and tipped their hats with their free hand as they passed. Gerry stopped once he saw her. There were many wonders in the world, many people she came in contact with and mortals who added to her mental list of what made up the bulk of humanity. But never had she been captured quite so much by a man like Gerry.Big brown shoe button eyes, a handsome virile face and a strong build mixed with a deep voice made her body stand at attention whenever he was near. Ariane had heard about this feeling before—love—but she had never felt it…until now. She couldn't remember a time when she had as much fear as she did now when he went out on the streets or left on a run. He and his kind, the Chamelia, were the most sought after runners in the racket due to their ability to shift their bodies into anyone and anything, just with a twitch of a muscle.Still, no matter who he became, no matter how his appearance changed or what color his eyes morphed to, Ariane always knew Gerry by that deep gaze that stared right into her like no man before. He had seen too much excitement in his life but he always craved more. She hoped that in the near future he would crave coming home to her more than the life of a runner.Ariane shifted her stance and placed her hand on her slim hips. "Well, hello there stranger," she said with a smile. "You look like you could use a cold one.""Why don't you come over here and give me a hot one instead, huh?" He pulled her in for a kiss, his warm lips claiming hers with the hungry ferocity of a starving beast.Ariane was made up for the night. Her thin frame was draped in a black sparkly dress and matching black high heel shoes. Each part of her makeup was carefully applied to bring out the green of her eyes and the rosy tint of her pale cheeks that gave rise to her nickname. She didn't care if anything was out of place, as long as she got her Gerry."Is the King inside yet?" he asked when he slowly broke away.Ariane shook her head. "He should be on his way. He got a little detained with court matters. I'm sure he'll be up in no time. He likes to greet the guests before the show begins."Gerry leaned in. Half of a smile crossed his lips when he caressed her chin. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your opening number?"She shrugged and said, "Had to see my favorite guy first."He planted a soft reassuring kiss on her cheek. "Good. Cause I like to see my favorite doll."Turning her around, he smacked her on the bottom and urged her toward the entrance.  "Go on in before you catch your death out here. And save me a dance."Ariane couldn't help the smile that crept upon her face. She would give anything to have a few close and tender moments with Gerry. She had the power to bring and keep him under her spell. Humans and other immortals alike were captivated and enticed by her very presence. Except for Gerry Anderson. She knew he cared about her and that he was attracted to her. But could he ever truly love her like he loved the high life? She asked herself the question for the millionth time, even as she went behind the stage and up the stairs to the dressing room."Hey Rose."Ariane turned at the sound of her nickname and peered down the stairs at Gerry, who thumbed his hat at an upward angle. "Thanks for the protection tonight, doll. We definitely needed it with the human feds sniffin' around."She nodded. "Anything to help."  Especially for you."Go on. Get out of here."# Five feet two inches of statuesque beauty walked up the stairs in high heels and a dangerous switch of her hips. If he weren't careful, he would be a goner like all the other suckers that crossed a Fae's path. Gerry shook it off with a smile. The last thing he needed tonight was to be distracted from business. He hoped pleasure would come later. The Sweet Rose—his Rose—was the most sought after entertainment this side of Chicago. He knew it was due to her Fae abilities but deep down, it was all Ariane.Patience, buster, he told himself. Playtime will come later."Alright," he yelled to the men piling in the back. "Let's get this booze loaded."One of the men—a short stout man with a dingy jacket—lifted his hat and cracked his knuckles. With a wave of his hand, the door emitted a bright green glow. He stepped through the sleek, polished wood as if it were an allusion. The sound of a lock lifted on the other end and the door opened. Nice. If only the humans knew what lived under their noses. It would make hiding things a lot easier for them. Gerry stepped inside and turned on the lights, bathing the large room in a bright light. A neat array of tables, with clean white cloth draped over the tops, sat before him. Crates sat in the back out of view and stacks of bottles sat in decorated formation behind the makeshift bar. This was where real deals were made. Many a conversation took place here in the back where the King of Fae handled his business. He ran The Hot Dry Spell with an iron fist and a tight hold on everything supernatural in this realm. Without him, there would be chaos as it was before the passage of the Volstead Act; when supernaturals preyed on humans using tricks and just for fun. Now with Prohibition, there was order. It was an odd sense of irony, if he ever saw one."Bloods are here. They're waiting for their shipment."It took Gerry a moment to notice the other voice geared toward him. He looked over his shoulder and saw a tall lanky man wearing a high priced suit. The shifter's name was Molano and like himself, his origin was spotty. Nevertheless, Gerry knew he could count on the man when he needed. "Should I bring 'em in?" Molano asked.Gerry turned to the crowd of his men who were adding to the crates and bottles of booze and blood along the walls. Beyond the back wall was another secret room where the feedings took place. Gerry nodded. "Let 'em cool their heels in the back and we'll see about getting them a supply.""I'll start getting them some fresh blood right away.""Good man." Gerry slapped Molano's back and gestured toward the door. "Make sure if we have mortals in the bunch to cloud their minds first. I don't want any leaks to give them a reason to tail us.""Right." Molano turned on his heels and exited the room in two long strides. It was another easy night but Gerry didn't want to get too cozy. While keeping an eye on the men finishing loading the room, he took in the quiet atmosphere of the club. Soon the place would be throbbing with energy and a cacophony of music, dance, laughter, and chitchat. He enjoyed these quiet nights before the noise.  Especially knowing what would happen soon after. Black, gold, white and pastel colors shaded the interior of the Hot Dry Spell. Sky blue columns hugged carved gold sunburst designs sitting against the crème walls. The Parisian style of art deco filtered across the club and right down to the bright spotlight of the stage where his Rose will be making one of her grand entrances. Like every night, he told her to save him a dance. He hoped like every other night he wouldn't have to miss it to go on some run. A big shipment of blood was coming in that evening thanks to a stoolie troll who had his ear to the ground near the drawbridge. Nothing went past him whenever there was money involved. A loud raucous brought Gerry out of his thoughts and he turned toward the door. He spotted Molano trying to hold off a small group of men in tattered clothes. As he got closer to the doorway, Gerry spotted the large salivating open maws lined with fangs. Red bloodshot eyes and pointed ears completed their gangly look. Vampires. They couldn't be the bloodsuckers Molano told him about."What's the big idea, Molano?" Gerry said as he gently pulled his tie loose and straightened out his suit. He had a piece stored in his side holster, if he needed it. Tonight it was loaded with regular bullets, but he had a stack of silver-cased bullets if any of the werewolves or vampires gave him lip. Normally, the latter would be well kept in their place, but these mugs looked like they had a sour run in with an angry caretaker. "These boys giving you trouble?""No trouble at all, shifter," the closest vampire said to him. "Looking for some drinks, and since you're the local joint in town for immortals, we decided to come here."Gerry smiled. He was taught to be a gentleman, no matter what the wind blew in. A kind smile would sweeten any sour situation, even if the nectar were laced with venom. "We don't take any riffraff here," he said. "The King will be making an appearance soon and I'd thank you to take your needs elsewhere.""What's the problem, shifter? Too big for your britches? I could drain you right here and now if I wanted."Gerry felt his blood pressure shoot up. His heart raced and in a blink of an eye, he pushed Molano out of the way and swiped his hand to his back pocket, raising a knife up to the rat-faced vampire's neck. "You could, but me and my boys will spill that nice blood on the ground before letting you out in the sun to warm up. Now, I asked you nicely to take a hike, buddy. We don't want trouble here. I know an outcast when I see one and the King don't like seeing rejects nipping at his nice establishment. Now, you can kindly take you and your boys and walk out of here or be escorted out with a stake in your heart and silver in your veins. What's your pleasure?"The vampire lifted his large mouth in a smile. Gerry inhaled the putrid smell of death and decay on his breath. If he had any doubt they were outcasts before, now it was confirmed. The Fae King kept strict order and those who decided to take the rules of the mortal world in their own hands were cast out of the immortal realm. No insurance of survival and no more feedings. They had to get their food from the scraps that were left out. Humans and animals were off limits and covered in a protective shield to keep their kind away. They looked every bit, the pale, emaciated beings they became when they only fed on drops. There was no room for their kind and Gerry would see to it. He waited until they slinked away to the darkness and disappeared into the night. His heartbeat was still racing and his testosterone on edge as he folded his knife back in place, and slipped it into his back pocket. Molano's expression hadn't changed. The man rarely smiled and changed his blank expression even less. He was the perfect guy for keeping a lid on quiet deals.Gerry patted his buddy's back and gestured toward the club where the workers were pulling the upturned chairs and placing them in order for guests. "Let's have a drink before the party starts, huh?"Gerry and his men were two drinks in when the Fae King finally arrived. His presence keyed up the club long before his intimidating form entered the front door. The Fae Queen normally stayed behind to conduct court affairs, while the King handled matters in the mortal world.The Chicago district had been the most lucrative area for him. It was one of the hubs of the Underworld, which offered both an inside look at all the undercover action between the mortals and a quiet haven to hide out. He traded in his old style cloth cape, large jacket, robe and crown of jewels for a three-piece suit and a fedora. He had become accustomed to looking and absorbing the mortal culture right down to the large cigar he loved to smoke when conducting business.That evening, the Fae King entered the club with his usual entourage of elven guards and goblin footmen. They had no need for any concealed weapons. Their own internal power was enough to stave off any aggressive forces that may come their way.Gerry took note of the imposing man walking with the Fae King."This looks serious," Molano said next to him.Before Gerry could answer, the Fae King caught his eye and nodded him toward the whisper room. The club was already beginning to fill up with guests, and tension had begun to fill the air around them. A sinking feeling told him this was indeed serious. He made a promise tonight and he intended to keep it. He hoped the Fae King wouldn't send him on any business. Not tonight, of all times.  However, even as he prayed with each step toward the speakeasy room, Gerry knew this was going to be big.#"Five minutes!"One of the stagehands, a troll with a thick green hide and a small suit to cover his stout form, yelled the warning to the girls. Excitement filled the air as it did every show. Some of the dancers practiced their opening numbers while others readied their elaborate costumes and props.Ariane made sure to hire only Fae dancers for the club's entertainment. Their ethereal beauty and enticing aura added something extra to the show that no other nightclub but the Hot Dry Spell offered.As she applied her makeup and stared at the solemn reflection in her mirror, Ariane tried to liven up her expression with a smile."That won't do."Ariane lifted her gaze to see a thin blonde staring back at her. Betty, one of the dancers who had been with her the longest of all the girls, cocked her head to the side."I know that look," Betty said. She turned her body slightly to lean on the back of Ariane's chair. "That chameleon's got you all wrapped up again."Ariane couldn't help smiling at the thought of Gerry."Ah yeah. That's the genuine article right there. It's a dead giveaway every time. He ask you to be his girl yet?"Ariane shook her head. "Too busy runnin' errands for the King."Betty fiddled with the feather headdress sitting atop her short blonde do."Take it from someone who knows, honey. Runners and guys who thrive off that excitement are no good. Especially a cham with sought after ability to help the racket. It'll only end in heartache.""You speaking from experience?" Ariane asked.Betty shrugged. "Had a friend who had a friend."Ariane sighed, remembering Gerry's promise. "My brain knows it. But try telling it to my heart."Betty gently placed her hand on Ariane's shoulders and leaned down to meet her gaze in the mirror. "You can have any man you want. We're Fae, doll. We don't have to be tied to no one and nothing. And look at this world. Anything goes now and the mortal world is finally kicking its feet up and having a gay old time. Just enjoy yourself. Why get all beat up over a runner who can't cool his heels for five seconds with you?"Why indeed.Because her heart swelled at the very thought of Gerry Anderson. Because she knew he was a good man set on keeping his people safe by any means. Because he promised to look out for her and always to protect her. Because the simple act of feeling his presence in the same room gave her the kind of peace, she never felt before in all her existence.Because the reasons were too numerous to list.Betty smiled as she stood to her full height."Yeah, you've got it bad." She shrugged. "I hope you know what you're getting into."The loud chatter was beginning to die out when Betty turned toward the door.

"We're on," she said. "I'll see you out there."Ariane didn't answer as she watched her bubbly friend hop out of the room. #Outside the speakeasy whisper room, a chorus of claps and cheers welcomed the chorus line of showgirls as the night's entertainment. Gerry felt his stomach turn with part anticipation and part dread. Anticipation, because Ariane's opening number would be following soon. Dread, because he may not be here to see it."The outcasts have been moving in on the territory from the East coast. I have a feeling they won't stay put for long."Gerry remembered the man who accompanied the Fae King. Cornelius was a Baron placed over the territory to keep order in the city. If he was making a personal appearance, this had to be severe. "They haven't made any trouble this way," the Fae King said with a puff of his cigar. A tiny stream of green smoke evaporated in the air before him."Not quite accurate, your majesty," Gerry pushed away from the bar feeling the speakeasy bartender's eyes—among others—all on him.The Fae King lifted an eyebrow and Gerry proceeded."A few of them tried to enter the club about a half hour ago. We sent 'em on their way."The Fae King nodded. "If they're planning something I want us to be ready. Get some extra men outside the club to watch the area. Gerry, I want you to—"A scream erupted amidst the loud chatter and pulse pounding music."Side door," Gerry grabbed his gun from his back holster and led his men through the side entrance back into the club. A woman draped in a black dress and a long string of pearls lay face down on the floor near the club's entrance. Gerry fell to his knees and gently turned her over."She just walked in looking dazed," he heard the doorman explaining behind him. "Like the life was drained right out of her."Sure enough, Gerry saw the visual confirmation of the doorman's description.Her delicate features looked like a shadow of the pretty girl she once was moments ago. Deep blue veins underlined her paleness, as if her skin had wasted away to dying flesh, lacking any elasticity. Two angry gashes were torn into her neck where she was drained of blood."Please remain calm, folks," the Fae King announced, once the music died. "Just a minor problem. Don't worry yourselves. To add to the festivities, have a glass of Blue Fairy on the house to get you started right back up. Now, on with the show!"Amidst the cheers, Gerry felt the energy rising in the room. The supernatural beings were too busy in their revelry to care about the minor inconvenience, while the humans were already forgetting what stopped the entertainment in the first place. A warm glow filled the entire club. When he looked up, Gerry saw the King's glow brighter than it had been moments ago. The effect was calming to an immortal like him. He could imagine it would be pure bliss for a human in the vicinity.Gerry finally stood and gestured for his men to remove the dead woman's body. Whoever her family was, they would be notified and given enough money for a proper burial. The outcast vampires would pay for her futile death."Anderson."Gerry looked up at the King approaching him. "Yes, your majesty?""I need you to take care of this matter…personally."He nodded. "On my way, I'll take some men with me and scope around to see what we can find.""I don't want to smell or sense any outcast anywhere in my city…or anywhere else in this realm, for that matter."Gerry nodded again. "We'll clean it up, your majesty.""Please do. Cornelius has his men on the East Coast and Titan has his men on the West. We need to keep up our end." The King patted Gerry's shoulder. "You're a good man, Anderson. I'll see that you are well taken care of for the rest of your days."Gerry gave a small bow and watched the Fae King disappear toward the back, followed by a sea of his entourage. Back in the Fae realm, the King was devastating in his own right. Here, it sometimes felt like he was one of the human gangsters.Gary exhaled deeply and ran a hand over his face. "Okay," he said, looking over at Molano. "We have a job to do. First…"First, he had a promise to break in the name of duty for his King. He would give anything to stay here and watch his Rose perform, but he also promised to keep her safe. Getting rid of the bloodsucking vampires that were cast out of the city would ensure that he at least kept one promise intact. Even if it meant breaking another…#Ariane nearly ran into a raised fist when she opened the dressing room door to the hallway. She was so deep in her thoughts that she almost missed the tall imposing figure dwarfing the doorway with his height.The man immediately held his arm up to calm her. "I'm sorry, miss." He quickly yanked his hat off and crushed it to his chest, as if just remembering the gesture. Mortal customs didn't exactly coincide with that of the immortals, but to integrate with the world around them, they had to learn the mores of the time and place. "Gerry Anderson sent me to give you a message."She forced herself to breath and ignored the icy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. The inkling had been there since she and Gerry finished their conversation. Now she was finally getting the confirmation."…regrets that he won't make it tonight…""…prior engagement to the king…""…wanted to give you this after the show…"Ariane barely registered his exact words but knew the overall message. She simply smiled and thanked him before sending him on his way. He looked eager to run off and engage in whatever business they had planned tonight. Part of her wished Gerry had brought the news to her himself. Would it have made it any easier to take? Somehow, she doubted it.Closing the door behind the man, Ariane leaned against it. She took a moment to gather herself. There was no time for tears or for feeling sorry for herself. She had a show to put on and now was not the time to let the whole club down.Tonight she would sing as she never sang before. Wherever Gerry was, she would make sure he felt every note, every vibration and every emotion in the song.#"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to present to you….a delectable doll of delicious delights. A beautiful babe who can sing like the scintillating songstress she is. I present to you…the Hot Dry Spell's own Sweet Rose of Chicago herself: Ariane!"The club erupted with a chorus of cheers, claps, whoops and hollers. Ariane waited until the chords of her song began with an interlude. The sound enveloped her and the mood of the piece settled right in the thick of her heart.Tell me no love songsSing me no lullabiesI'm lost in the dangerCaught up in your mellow eyesCause I'm lost in youTrying to be trueTo my heart that won't say goodbyeThe opening moan of a cello signaled the rest of the orchestra to chime in. Ariane let the atmosphere surround her. A smoky haze draped over the crowd that was enthralled by her song of love unreturned and the dancers that slinked around her in synchronized dance.Don't tell me not to love youThen she felt and saw him through the midst of her mind as the song continued. The smoky atmosphere of the nightclub slipped away to reveal the cool Chicago evening. Ariane continued to sing as the scene played out like a movie.My heart won't lieTo my head thatCan't say goodbye.In the vision, Gerry straightened out his suit and led his men toward the river that connected the Fae realm to the mortal one. If offered the right amount of cash, the river troll stood on guard. Gerry questioned him about the whereabouts of the vampire outcasts' hideout. He sweetened the pot with a large bag of gold. The trolls deep set eyes beneath his pronounced brow lit up immediately when he saw the bag. He reached for it, but Gerry held it up over his head until he got a satisfactory answer. The troll then pointed out to his left and explained. Finally, he was given his reward.Ariane's song died out to softness with one powerful note. The lights went to darkness and the crowd erupted into cheers.In the dark, a slow beat of the drum got the pulses of all the club goers racing. Feet tapped beneath all the sounds, inaudible to human ears. Ariane felt her hips moving to the sound of her chorus of dancers removing their long, elegant gloves and their already short skirts to reveal more leg.In her vision, Ariane watched as Gerry led his men to an abandoned warehouse that seemed to have been left for years.Abandoned…but occupied.Gerry gestured for his men to cover all sides and be on guard. The man who delivered the message earlier at her door remained next to Gerry. Perhaps that's why he sent him, Ariane realized. He had to be Molano, Gerry's most trusted right-hand man. His elongated face looked rougher and more on edge tonight. He was already preparing to shift.'There in the back," she heard Gerry say."Probably already knows we're here," Molano responded.Gerry smiled. "Then, let's give them a nice homecoming gift."The lights brightened up in full swing of the jazz band playing Ariane's song at faster beat. The shake and shimmy of the dancers around her matched the beat and highlighted Ariane at center spotlight.I'm caught up in your gorgeous eyesLost in youTrying to be trueTo my heart that won't say goodbyeByeOh, my babySweet babyShe sung out he words, putting every emotion, every power and heart left in her right down to each note. In suits and evening gowns, the people in the club had already taken to the floor, dancing and swinging their partners. Others sat at their tables enjoying their drinks and moving to the music.In the vision, Gerry removed his suit and shifted immediately into a large beast like that of a wolfman covered with thick fur all the way down to his pawed feet and sharp talons. His other men joined him and surrounded the warehouse. As they closed in on the entrance, a handful of figures emerged from the shadows and took formation. The lead vampire looked at Gerry and smiled, revealing a set of rotted snagged teeth. "I told you, shifter," the vampire said in a raspy voice like pure drops of venom. "You'd have trouble. All you had to do was give us a little drop and we would be out of your hair. We can't deny our nature. We had to do what was necessary to survive.""Not at the expense of exposing us all." Gerry shook his head and smiled bitterly. "And I gave you one of two choices earlier, bloodsucker. Lucky for me I got a third option for you. Unlucky for you and your boys." The outcast vampire hissed loudly and they moved toward the beasts as their own private little war broke out under a full, pale moon on the streets of Chicago.Claws ripped skin. Teeth tore into flesh and slashed away into open wounds. Ariane danced and sang despite the sting and fear she felt inside. She channeled it all into her performance of a woman with a broken heart. Soon the darkness grew too thick for her to see. She tried to hold on to Gerry, feeling his every movement through the connection. A loud yelp, accompanied with the sound of a body slammed against the ground, echoed in her mind. Then she couldn't feel him at all.The song came to its low, moody end.Ariane felt as if the life was snatched right out of her. The club stilled and the dancers held their positions. All eyes watched her, waiting for the final ending to the song.Time is a wastin'So don't bother sayingGoodbyeThe dancers began again. The crowd moved and the band built to a crescendo under Ariane's final notes. As it died down into the loud chorus of cheers from the crowd, the stage lights dimmed to darkness and she quickly took her leave.After the number, Ariane went searching for the Fae King. She didn't stop in the dressing room nor did she wait for Betty, whom was sure to be worried enough to check on her.Navigating a sea of compliments, roses and raised champagne glasses for her performance, Ariane looked around at the specially reserved table near the back. There was no sign of the Fae King anywhere. She questioned one of the main bartenders up front and, sure enough, he was in the whisper room.She took the side entrance, which was the only one allowed open, once the club was in full swing. Inside, the room was full. Some men gambled at one end while others sat around talking, drinking, and smoking. In the back of the room vampires in designer suits sat at tables wining—and then dining on—their dates for the evening. Not that their mortal dates had any complaints.Ariane immediately went to the Fae King and gave a small curtsy. "Your majesty," she began. "Gerry hasn't returned yet, has he?"The Fae King puffed a bit of his cigar. His bright grey eyes softened once he blew out a slow green stream of smoke."He hasn't returned.""I know you offered him protection. During the number, I felt it and then…""I know," the Fae King said. "I felt it, too.""Your majesty, I think he may be in danger. I know he can heal himself if he shifts, but he may be too badly hurt to do it. I need to leave early tonight. I need to find him."He took a slow drag of his cigar. She ignored all the eyes from the table closely watching her."You really care for him, don't you?""Yes, I do," she answered without hesitation."What's the connection you two have? It's not in our nature to latch onto just one person. There are plenty of men around here who would be happy to have you by their side.""I don't want plenty of men," Ariane said. "Nor any other man." She was getting more anxious by the moment. The longer they sat here chatting, the more time passed that Gerry, not to mention his men, could need their help. She didn't want to tell him how Gerry promised to look after her since she was a young girl. He was a Chamelia Fae, who had been swapped in the place of a mortal baby, by a dark Fae who saw human children as commerce. Gerry never knew his family and had always been a man who walked with no ties to anyone but the Fae King and his men. In a way, they were the only family he had ever known. No matter what she did, Ariane wanted to fill the void for him that only a woman could. However, no matter how hard she tried to hold on, he always slipped away; back to do the King's bidding.Now he could be in danger and even though he may not need her on the surface, she would be there for him…right until the end."No."She shook herself out of her thoughts at the sound of the King's belated reply. "No?""You can't go out there."Ariane still had a few more numbers for the night but those had to wait. She wouldn't mind the Fae King docking part of her night's pay. "But your majesty, I—""Not without some protection." The King gestured to a few of his men who finished their drinks and then stepped forward. "I need you to take our Rose to the warehouse. Make sure she is protected and that there is no trace of any activity to lead back to us or this club.""Yes, your majesty."Ariane turned to get her fur coat and purse when she heard the Fae King call to her. She stopped and turned as he rose to his feet and walked over. She swallowed hard and stood tall despite his daunting presence. It was the same for any supernatural creature, much less any human. His charm and handsome features matched a grace that would put Douglas Fairbanks to shame.He took her hand and placed it between his own. "Tell Gerry we've got more use for him. So don't die on us, huh? If he wants to take some time off to…recover….tell him to take as long as he needs."She sensed the underlying tone of sympathy beneath the light, cool words. Her hands warmed with an energy that spread throughout her body and filtered down her limbs. To a human, it would look like the Fae King was offering a kind word accompanied by a warm gesture. However, the amount of energy pulsing from every living being in the room, told another story.Ariane nodded and then took her leave with the Fae King's men.#The clock struck midnight when the small caravan of Fords arrived at the abandoned warehouse. Ariane waited until the front car stopped at the entrance before climbing out. All along the pavement, bodies lay strewn about like the aftermath of a bloody war. The Chamelia Fae that had turned into wolves had now changed back to their human forms. Their naked, pale bodies illuminated a cool blue under the light of the moon at full rise. The rotted corpses of the outcast vampires lay in twisted formation; some with their maws slacked open. All were bloody and beaten dead.Mentally, Ariane had to block the stench, which was like rotted meat, as she ventured inward to find out if Gerry was among the survivors. "Alright men," she heard Tiberius—also known as Huey, the Fae King's main assistant—said behind her. "Let's see if there are any survivors out here. Get these outcasts disposed of."It was then that she spotted Gerry's form against the wall. His body was turned to the side and one arm lay draped across his hip toward his back. The telltale sign of his birthmark, a small pinkish-beige sunburst on his lower back, told her it was him. He had changed! That must mean he's still alive.She immediately went to him. Her black heels clicked against the stony pavement. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her fur coat around him, turning him over to face her.There was nothing. There was no sign of life or movement at all to tell her that he was still alive. He had to have been alive enough to change…Ariane tried to force back the tears. She wasn't going to let him go that easily. She gently placed her hand on his chest, feeling a stream of tears force their way to her eyes. Every ounce of energy within her, from the nightclub-goers that evening, from the dancers down to the Fae King's men in the speakeasy whisper room and even the Fae King himself, she used to revive Gerry's still heart with her body. Then…He awakened with a gasp on his thin pink lips, and then arched his body upward into a choking cough. Looking down, he surveyed his body and breathed a sigh of relief at the absence of bloody wounds that Ariane had healed for him.Ariane choked back a sob as she flung her arms around him. "Thank the heavens above! Gerry, I thought I had lost you."He pulled her to him and she reveled in the feel of his arms tightened around her. It was a small gesture but she couldn't help feeling as if he was finally coming home to her.It was short lived when he suddenly pulled back with a start. "My suit. Where's my suit?""Honey, we can get you another one…""No, I need to find it. "There's…" He swallowed, calming himself. "There's something in the pocket that I need.""Alright," she said, pushing him back down to rest. "Stay here. I'll get it."She stood and saw some of Gerry's men moving to their feet with the help of the Fae King's men. A few helped each other toss the outcast corpses into a pile to prepare for the bonfire. Huey stood by coordinating until he raised his hands and blew a stream of blue and orange fire over his palms to light the pile.Ariane veered her attention away to return to her task. She searched every torn suit lying on the ground until she found the one with Gerry's knife and gun at the holster. Both still clung to the tattered waist. She quickly took it to Gerry who was examining his body for any leftover wounds."Here's your suit." "Look in the breast pocket," he said, nodding toward it.She reached in and froze when she felt something hard and cold inside.Pulling it out, she held it up at eye level. The round smooth-cut diamond glistened in a spectrum of colors, notably blue, orange and reds to reflect the light of the moon and flicker of the blazing fire."Mortals seem crazy about it for some reason. I thought you'd like it, especially if it came from the Earth."Ariane wiped her eyes. She raced to him and didn't hesitate to wrap him in a tight hug. "I love it. Mortal women like it clasped to a pure gold ring but this is more than I could ever have hoped. Are you asking what I think you're asking?"Gerry smiled despite his tired demeanor. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to him. "Yeah, I am. I know it's long overdue, kid. I wanted to tell you tonight after your big number but I was called away to take care of this mess. I know a Fae doesn't normally stay with one person, but I wanted to talk to the King about us. Maybe request that he make allowances. Honestly, I'll try anything at this moment. I thought I was going to die tonight, Ariane. I don't want another day to go by without telling you how I feel. Forgive me?"Ariane smiled. "Only on one condition." At Gerry's eyebrow raise, she continued, "If we could get away for a while. Just you and me. No nightclub, no interruptions.""The Fae King may need me to run a job for him."Ariane looked over her shoulder at the busy men still covering up their tracks from the mortals. With a gentle wave of her hand, she brought up an invisible shield to cloak them from the men's senses.  "I think the Fae King will be okay for a while. Besides, he'll understand.""You sure?" She winked at him. "Oh yeah. I'm sure."Gerry nodded slowly as his smile grew wider. "It's a date, doll, just as long as you save me that dance.""Always honey," she said as she helped him up to his feet. "Always."

The Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour (October 24-31, 2011)

You may have noticed a new event on the sidebar during the past few days. If you haven't take a gander to see something fun coming up in the next few days.



Yep!





It's The Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour (October 24-31, 2011)! 



Woo hoo! I'll be visiting the hop myself to check out other the authors' works. At the same time, I'll be offering up some goodies right here on the blog!



In the goodie bag are paperback versions of:





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Plus some extra yum yums to be announced!

1) HAVE A SPOOKY FUN TIME!

2) INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND SPREAD THE WORD!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, October 24, 2011 at Midnight (PST)THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, October 31, 2011 at Midnight (PST)Winners will be drawn and posted November 1, 2011

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY SITE'S CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL SITES IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. THE MORE SITES YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES.

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE A SPOOKY FUN TIME?

Readers who come to my blog will be entered by posting in the comments. As an extra special treat, I'll be posting some free reads between now and the event so be sure to check back leading up to the tour.



Mosey on over to the official Coffin Hop Horror Web Tour blog site to check out the current authors on tour!



Hope to see you there!

October is the month for Vampires...

At the Broad Universe, that is!



This month, we're featuring vampires in two editions of the BU podcast.



First up is the Broad Pod!

Join hostess, Trish Wooldridge of A Novel Friend Writing & Editing, as she and the Broads celebrate what many genre writers--not even just horror!--feel is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.



The episode opens with E.F. Watkins sharing her story of a violent act that is not quite what it seems. Then, Rae Lori's excerpt involves a power struggle for the role of Regent in a nightwalker clan. Gail Z. Martin brings us into an epic battle with the undead. Finally, Jaleta Clegg finishes the episode with musings on vampire survival related to problematic food supply.



The Broad Pod is brought to you by Broad Universe, an international non-profit dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and honoring women writers of science fiction, fantasy, horror--and everything in between. To find out more about Broad Universe, or how to join the ranks of Broads, visit www.broaduniverse.org



For now, please enjoy our display of why the claims of vampire demise… have been greatly exaggerated.

 http://broadpod.posterous.com/october-2011-vampires



Coming up is the Broadly Speaking podcast where we will be discussing Vampires, the changing genre and the future of the genre on October 31st!